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by redavni 2947 days ago
It is done automatically after the imagery is downloaded from the satellite.

They are complex combinations of multiple bands. The GOES-16 satellite has 6 (or 7, depending if you count shortwave ir) visible bands. Three are used for the red, green, and blue channels to get the "true color" image. Portions of other bands are used in combination with transparency to seamlessly combine the bands that show features the best. At night the IR bands are used in different combinations.

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There's more information on the GeoColor products here: https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/documents/QuickGuide_C...

The short version: daytime imagery is derived from GOES-16's red, blue, and near-IR (band 3) channels, with a simulated green channel. Night imagery's all IR; the base map (with city lights) is static and derives from a different satellite.